Rack for table articles



NITED STATES PATEN Fries.

RACK FOR TABLE-ARTICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 620,81 1, dated March 7, 1899.

Application filed July 26, 1898- Serial No. 686,936. (No model.)

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my rack shown as arranged for use; Fig. 2, a vertical section through the same, showing the napkin-holder in position out of use.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

The object of my invention is to provide in a simple form an individual rack or holder forknife, fork, spoon, toothpicks, and napkin and to this end said invention consists in the rack or holder having the construction substantially as hereinafter specified.

In the carrying of my invention into practice I cast a block of metal into a shape that comprises an oblong base A and an upright or standard B. In the latter is a series of vertical holes 0 and O, that, as shown, are four in number, adapted to respectively receive a knife, fork, spoon, and toothpicks, each opening being given the form required for its use. All the holes except the one for the toothpicks extend entirely through the base A to facilitate cleaning; but each near its bottom is contracted in size to form a shoulder to support the contained article.

Secured to the top of the standard B is a napkin-holder D, that has two'spring-jaws, between which the napkin is gripped and held. Said holder is formed of a single piece of wire that is bent to form two members that extend atright angles toeach other, the gripping-jaws forming one member being composed of two parallel parts whose free ends diverge to facilitate the insertion of anapkin, and the other member being formed of two parts that converge toward the two jaws and are connected by a part that passes through and is pivoted in a high on the upper side of the standard 13 at apointbetween two adjacent holes 0 and C. When the napkin isarranged for use, as shown in Fig. 1, the spring-jaws stand vertically, with the free ends upward and the holder resting upon and supported by the top of the standard B. When it is not in use, it is turned over to the position shown in Fig. 2, with the spring-jaws extending downward alongside of the end of the standard '13 and; is wholly out of the way.

As shown,the casting is plain but obviously it can be given an ornamental appearance in form or configuration.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is" 1. A rack comprising a block or piece and a holder consisting of two members arranged at an angle to each other, one of which is pivoted at one end to the upper side of the block whereby the holder may be placed in position out of use with one member parallel or substantially parallel with the plane of the top of the block, and the other member extending alongside of one end of the block, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A rack comprising a block or piece having top and end sides that lie in planes at a right angle, and a holder havingtwo members that extend at a right angle to each other and composed each of companion parts, connected at one end by a part that is pivoted to the upper side of the block at a point intermediate the ends of theblock, whereby the holder may be turned to place one member on the top of the block, with the other member projecting upward, or turned so that the latter member extends downward alongside one end of the block, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of July, A. D. 1898.

JASPER T. TI'IORNLEY.

Witnesses:

I-IoRToN J. Down, BRYAN F. BOND. 

